Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says the club have offered out-of-contract defender Bacary Sagna a new deal to remain at the Emirates Stadium.

The France international is out of contract at the end of the season and is yet to agree an extension.

Sagna has been a staple of the Arsenal back-four since joining from Auxerre in 2007 though the club have been slow in offering a new deal to the 31 year old however Wenger says they await a reply over his future.

"Talks are not progressing," Wenger said. "The ball is not in our court any more and he has to come back to us."

The Frenchman has started 31 times for Arsenal in the Premier League this season and has played an influence part in a back-four which have the joint-fourth best defence in the top flight.

Arsenal host Newcastle United on Monday in the first of three games which will decide if they qualify for the Champions League next season, with matches against West Bromwich Albion and Norwich City to follow.

The Gunners lead Everton by just a single point heading into the final weeks of the campaign but despite the FA Cup final against Hull City also being on the horizon, attention has already turned to the summer transfer window.

With Sagna stalling over agreeing a new deal at the Emirates Stadium, reports are linking Arsenal with a move for Southampton youngster Callum Chambers while suggestions Wenger will target a striker continue to persist.

The latest name to be linked with a move to north London is Loic Remy, who is currently enjoying a fruitful loan spell at Newcastle United from Queens Park Rangers where he has netted 13 league goals this term.

But Wenger refused to be drawn on such reports, claiming: "He is a good striker. But we are focused on the end of the season, not on strikers."

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